Located near the Scottish-English border, Lockerbie is a small town in Dumfries and Galloway. Archaeological findings suggest that the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, with a 4th millennium BC flax processing hall uncovered here. Lockerbie is synonymous with the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which crashed in the town.
Things to do in Lockerbie
Wander through the centre of Lockerbie to admire its red sandstone buildings, with a highlight being the Scottish Baronial-style Lockerbie Town Hall. The Lesser Hall is home to a memorial window dedicated to the events of 1988. Don’t miss the magnificent interior of the Dryfesdale Parish Church with its early-20th-century organ and pink-veined marble altar.
Occupying an 1880-built cemetery worker’s cottage is Dryfesdale Lodge, which serves as a memorial to the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Its Garden of Remembrance features memorials and plaques to those who lost their lives. Browse the permanent display on the history of Lockerbie, including the impact of the Romans and the Border Reiver families on its development.
On the site of an old curling pond is the Eskrigg Reserve, which is managed by the Lockerbie Wildlife Trust. It provides a habitat for red squirrels, as well as a diversity of birdlife that includes tawny owls, kingfishers and muted swans. You can explore the reserve’s trails and hides independently or coincide your visit with one of the Lockerbie Wildlife Trust’s guided tours and talks.
Getting around Lockerbie
Lockerbie is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Glasgow and just under two hours from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains stop at the Lockerbie railway station and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.